It’s great to give donkeys access to a wide range of plants and herbs in addition to their main diet. It can have numerous health benefits and mirrors how they feed in the wild. Donkeys enjoy foraging and they are mostly pretty good at finding the nutrients they need.
The safety of plants is not straightforward though, as many donkey owners will know. Plants listed here as Safe may only be suitable for donkeys in small quantities – as extras to the diet. Some plants are common feed for donkeys and mostly problem-free – but with some instances of toxicity. Others are just plain poisonous!
The level of risk associated with plants varies depending on climate, region, plant growth stage, pasture management, harvesting methods, plant species, part and amount eaten and the condition of the donkey. This list is not comprehensive and is intended only as a basic guide.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a qualified equine nutritionist or veterinarian. The information in this blog post should only be used in conjunction with professional advice. The safety of plants for any individual donkey depends upon a wide range of factors.
KEY
SAFE = Plants that are non-toxic and safe in appropriate quantities
CAUTION = Plants that can be harmful in certain circumstances
UNSAFE = Plants that are poisonous and should be avoided entirely
Acanthus Family – Acanthaceae
SAFE: Firecracker Flower, Nerve Plant, Polka Dot Plant, Zebra Plant
Aloe Family – Asphodelaceae
SAFE: Haworthia fasciata, Red Hot Poker
CAUTION: Aloe Vera (outer leaf is toxic, clear gel inside used topically to treat wounds and skin conditions)
UNSAFE: Dune Onion Weed
Amaryllis Family – Amaryllidaceae
CAUTION: Garlic (can cause anaemia, long-term use in raw or dried form unsafe, even in small quantities)
UNSAFE: Amaryllis, Barbados / Easter Lily, Belladonna Lily, Chinese Onion, Chives, Daffodil (all), Elephant Garlic, Fire / Kaffir Lily, Hippeastrum (all), Leek, Onion, Pearl Onion, Scallion, Shallot (all Allium genus), Spider Lily (all), Snowdrop
Araucarians – Araucariaceae
SAFE: Norfolk / Norfolk Island Pine
Arrowgrass Family – Juncaginaceae
UNSAFE: Arrowgrass / Seaside Arrowgrass
Arrowroot Family – Marantaceae
SAFE: Caeroba / Rattlesnake Plant, Calathea (all)
Arum Family – Araceae
SAFE: Carrion Flower
UNSAFE: Adam-and-Eve / Lords-and-Ladies, Alocasia (all), Arrow-head Vine, Arum Lily, Caladium, Ceriman / Swiss-cheese Flower, Chinese Evergreen, Devil’s Ivy, Dumb Cane, Elephant’s Ear (all), Flamingo Flower, Philodendron (all), Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Oleander, Peace Lily / Black Calla, Satin Pothos / Silver Vine, Selloum, Skunk Cabbage, Solomon’s Lily
Asparagus Family – Asparagaceae
SAFE: Cast-iron Plant, Cushion Aloe, Elephant’s Foot, Grape Hyacinth, Song of India, Spider Plant, Palm Lily, Sand Lily, Galtonia, Lily Turf
CAUTION: Hawaiian Ti Plant / Cabbage Palm / Good Luck Plant (high in sugar)
UNSAFE: Asparagus / Foxtail Fern, Chinkerinchee, Common Hyacinth, Dracaena / Corn Plant / Dragon Tree (all), Lily-of-the-Valley, Ornithogalums (all), Plantain Lily / Hosta, Pregnant Onion, Star-of-Bethlehem, Yucca (all)
Balsam Family – Balsaminaceae
SAFE: Touch-me-not
Banana Family – Musaceae
SAFE: Banana / Plantain (all)
Barberry Family – Berberidaceae
SAFE: Oregon Grape
UNSAFE: American Mandrake / May-apple, Nandina / Heavenly Bamboo
Beech and Oak Family – Fagaceae
SAFE: Algaroba / Mesquite / Kiawe, American Chestnut, Chestnut / Sweet Chestnut
UNSAFE: Oak (all)
Beet / Amaranth Family – Amaranthaceae
SAFE: Beetroot, Bloodleaf, Chard, Cockscombs, Globe Amaranth, Mangel Beet, Spinach, Spinach Beet, Woolflowers
CAUTION: Quinoa (too high in protein), Sugar Beet (too high in sugar in raw form but safe when processed and unmolassed)
UNSAFE: Gomphrena Weed, Jerusalem Oak
Begonia Family – Begoniaceae
UNSAFE: Begonia, Elephant’s Ear Begonia, Iron Cross Begonia, Maple Leaf Begonia, Metallic Leaf Begonia, Rex Begonia
Bellflower Family – Campanulaceae
UNSAFE: Cardinal Flower, Lobelia (all)
Bindweed / Morning Glory Family – Convolvulaceae
SAFE: Sweet Potato
UNSAFE: Field / Common Bindweed
Birch Family – Betulaceae
SAFE: Alder, Birch, Hazel, Hornbeam
Bird of Paradise Family – Strelitziaceae
UNSAFE: Bird of Paradise
Bittersweet Family – Celastraceae
UNSAFE: Bittersweet / American Bittersweet, Burning Bush / American Wahoo, Spindle Tree
Borage / Forget-me-not Family – Boraginaceae
CAUTION: Common Comfrey (leaves used in herbal remedies in very small quantities, most toxic in root, long-term use not advised)
UNSAFE: Chinese Hound’s Tongue / Chinese Forget-me-not, Fiddlenecks (all), Heliotrope, Paterson’s Curse, Viper’s Bugloss
Boxwood Family – Buxaceae
UNSAFE: Boxwood / Box
Bracken Family – Dennstaedtiaceae
UNSAFE: Bracken / Bracken Fern (all)
Buckthorn Family – Rhamnaceae
UNSAFE: Buckthorn
Buttercup / Crowfoot Family – Ranunculaceae
CAUTION: Buttercup (safe unless consumed in very large quantities), Monkshood / Wolf’s Bane (toxic in raw form but safe when dried, used in herbal remedies)
UNSAFE: Celandine / Pilewort, Celery-leaf / Poison / Cursed Buttercup, Christmas Rose / Black Hellebore, Hellebore, Clematis / Leather Flower, Columbine, Delphinium / Larkspur (all), Small-fruit Pheasant’s Eye / Red Chamomile
Cabbage / Mustard Family – Brassicaceae
CAUTION: Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage (White, Red, Savoy), Collard Greens, Kale, Pennycress, Radish, Swede / Rutabaga, Turnip, Watercress (large quantities of any of these can cause colic)
UNSAFE: Alyssum, Cauliflower, Charlock / Field Mustard, Hoary Alyssum, Winter-cress / Yellow Rocket
Cactus Family – Cactaceae
SAFE: Christmas / Holiday Cactus, Easter Lily Cactus / Hedgehog Cactus, Mistletoe Cactus, Old Man Cactus, Prickly Pear, Pitaya / Dragon Fruit
Caltrop Family – Zygophyllaceae
SAFE: Creosote Bush / Greasewood
Cannabis / Hemp Family – Cannabaceae
SAFE: African Arrowroot / Indian Shot, Canna Lily
UNSAFE: Marijuana / Indian Hemp
Carnation Family – Caryophyllaceae
SAFE: Moss Campion / Cushion Pink
CAUTION: Baby’s Breath / Maiden’s Breath (can irritate the skin), Chickweed (unsafe in large quantities)
UNSAFE: Carnation, Corncockle, Sweet William / Eastern Star
Carrot Family – Apiaceae
Note: Several plants in this family are toxic to donkeys, and some share the same or similar common names, such as Bishop’s Weed, so Latin names included for clarity.
SAFE: Celery, Chervil / Garden Chervil / French Parsley, Coriander / Cilantro / Chinese Parsley / Dhania, Cow Parsley, Dill, Parsnip
CAUTION: Aniseed, Dill (safe in small quantities), Aegopodium podagraria – Bishop’s Weed / Ground Elder / Goutweed / Gout Wort / Herb Gerard / Snow-in-the-Mountain / Wild Masterwort (midly toxic, can cause phototoxicity), Parsley / Garden Parsley (not suitable for pregnant mares)
UNSAFE: Ammi visnaga – Bishop’s Weed / Bisnaga / Khella / Toothpickweed, Ammi majus – Bishop’s Weed / Bullwort / False Bishop’s Weed / False Queen Anne’s Lace / Bishop’s Flower / Greater Ammi / Laceflower / Lady’s Lace, Daucus carota – Bird’s Nest / Bishop’s Lace / Queen Anne’s Lace / Wild Carrot, Caraway / Meridian Fennel / Persian Cumin, Cow Parsnip, Hemlock / Poison Hemlock, Lovage, Spring Parsley, Water Hemlock / Cowbane, Trachyspermum ammi – Ajowan Caraway / Bishop’s Weed / Carom
Cashew / Sumac Family – Anacardiaceae
SAFE: Poison Ivy, Poison / Pacific / Western Oak, Staghorn Sumac
CAUTION: Mango (stones contain poisonous substances)
Citrus Family – Rutaceae
SAFE: Sweet Orange, Lemon
UNSAFE: Bergamot Orange / Citrus Bergami, Calamondin Orange, Key / Mexican Lime, Rangpur
Cleome Family – Cleomaceae
SAFE: Spider Flower / Pink Queen
Coffee Family – Rubiaceae
SAFE: Jungle Geranium / Flame of the Woods
UNSAFE: Button Bush, Coffee / Coffea, Gardenia / Cape Jasmine
Cycas Family – Cycadaceae
UNSAFE: Cycad, Sago Palm / Japanese Sago Palm / Sago Cycad
Cypress Family – Cupressaceae
UNSAFE: Juniper, Leylandii / Leyland Cypress
Daisy / Sunflower Family – Asteraceae
SAFE: African / Gerber Daisy, Artichoke, Blessed Thistle, Blue Daisy, Blue Globe-thistle, Calendula Officinalis / English Marigold, Calliopsis / Tickseed, Carline Thistle, China Aster, Common / Field Thistle, Cornflower, Cotton / Scotch Thistle, Creeping Zinnia, Distall Thistle, Feverfew, Golden / Oyster Thistle, Lettuce, Milk Thistle, Musk Thistle, Sow Thistle, Townsend Daisy, Purple Passion, Candyleaf / Sweetleaf / Sugarleaf, Narrowleaf Sunflower, Southernwood, Sow Thistle, Sunflower, Syrian Thistle, Zinnia
CAUTION: Chamomile (safe in small quantities, used in herbal remedies), Chicory, Common Dandelion (unsafe in large quantities), Common / English Daisy (low toxicity, safe in small quantities, used in herbal remedies), Flatweed / Cat’s Ear (unsafe in large quantities), Gumweed (safe in small quantities), Smooth Flatweed / Cat’s Ear (unsafe in large quantities)
UNSAFE: Arnica / Mountain Arnica, Aspen Fleabane, Chrysanthemum, Crofton Weed / Sticky Snakeroot, Dahlia, Dogfennel, Horseweed / Fleabane, Madagascar Ragwort / Fireweed, Mistflower / Creeping Crofton Weed, Ragwort / Golden Ragwort, Rayless Goldenrod / Rosea / Jimmy Weed, Rough / Common Cocklebur, Russian Knapweed, Spiny Cocklebur / Prickly Burweed, Stinking Chamomile / Poison Daisy / Mayweed, White Snakeroot, Yarrow, Yellow Star / St. Barnaby’s Thistle
Dayflower / Spiderwort Family – Commelinaceae
UNSAFE: Wandering Jew / River Spiderwort
Dogbane Family – Apocynaceae
SAFE: Confederate Jasmine, Madagascar Jasmine, Natal Plum, Porcelain Flower, Starfish Flower, Hoya Kerii
UNSAFE: Bigleaf / Blue Periwinkle, Desert Azalea, Dogbane / Bitterroot, Milkweed (all), Oleander, Periwinkle, Purple Rubber Vine, Rubber Vine, Yellow Oleander
Dogwood Family – Cornaceae
SAFE: Dogwood
Ebony Family – Ebenaceae
SAFE: Persimmons
Fern Family – Polypodiaceae
SAFE: Carrot Fern / Sichuan Lace / Elkhorn / Staghorn Fern
Figwort Family
CAUTION: Spotted Fuchsia (prone to toxicity)
Flame-lily Family – Colchicaceae
UNSAFE: Meadow Saffron / Autumn Crocus
Flax Family – Linaceae
UNSAFE: Blue / Lewis / Prairie flax
Four O’clock Family – Nyctaginaceae
SAFE: Fragrant / Sweet-sand Verbena
Gentian Family – Gentianaceae
SAFE: Giant Sword Fern, Persian Violet
Geranium Family – Geraniaceae
SAFE: Geranium / Crane’s Bill
Gesnaria Family – Gesneriaceae
SAFE: African Violet / Cape Marigold, Candy Corn / Goldfish Plant, Canterbury Bells, Cape Primrose, Gloxinia, Lace-flower Vine, Lipstick Plant
Ginger Family – Zingiberaceae
SAFE: Cardamon (Elettaria cardamomum), Galangal Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Ginger Lily, White Ginger / White Garland Lily, Kaempferia, Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Gooseberry Family – Grossulariaceae
SAFE: Blackcurrant, Gooseberry, Jostaberry, Redcurrant
Gourd / Squash Family – Cucurbitaceae
SAFE: Acorn / Pepper Squash, Arikara Squash, Banana Squash, Bostom Marrow, Butternut Squash / Butternut Pumpkin, Courgette / Zucchini, Crookneck Squash, Cucumber, Pumpkin (don’t use seeds packaged for planting), Figleaf Squash, Honeydew Melon, Hubbard Squash, Muskmelon / Cantaloupe, Persian Melon, Santa Claus Melon, Summer Squash, Turban Squash, Watermelon, West Indian Gherkin / Maroon Cucumber
UNSAFE: White Byrony / White Hop
Grape Family – Viticeae
SAFE: Grape, Grape Ivy
Grass Family – Poaceae
SAFE: Annual Meadow Grass, Barley, Blue Grama, Bluegrass, Bluestem, Browntop / Common Bent, Brome, Brown-top, Coastal Bermuda, Crabgrass, Crested Dog’s-tail, Gamagrass, Golden Bamboo, Indian Ricegrass, Kangaroo, Meadow Fescue, Orchard Grass / Cocksfoot, Pampas, Pearl Millet, Red Fescue, Redgrass, Rhodes, Sand Lovegrass, Spear, Spelt, Timothy, Weeping Lovegrass, Wheatgrass, Wild Emmer / Farro, Wild Rice, Yorkshire Fog
Note: Safety of grass for pasture and forage can depend on pasture management, harvesting methods and environmental factors.
CAUTION: African Star Grass, Annual Beard-grass, Annual Ryegrass, Common Blown-grass / Fairy Grass and Common Couch Grass (prone to toxicity), Corn / Maize (high in starch and cobs are hard to digest), Dhoob / Bahama / Bermuda Grass (prone to toxicity), Linseed / Flaxseed (toxic in raw form, safe once heat processed), Native Couch Grass (prone to toxicity), Oat (don’t let grass go to seed, grain high in protein), Paspalum, Perennial Ryegrass and Reed Canary Grass / Phalaris (prone to toxicity), Scutch Grass, Tall Fescue (prone to toxicity), Teff (testing of sugar level advised), Triticale (prone to toxicity, high in protein), Wheat (don’t let grass go to seed, grain high in protein)
UNSAFE: Blue Canary Grass, Brachiaria / Signal, Broughton Pea, Buffel, Columbus Grass, Coolah Grass, Crabgrass, Dwarf Darling Pea, Foxtails (sharp seed heads), Grain Sorghum, Grey Swainsona, Castilla, Hairy Darling Pea, Harding Grass, Indiangrass, Johnson Grass, Kikuyu, Lemongrass / Oil Grass, Pangola, Panic Grass (Giant, Coolah, Guinea / Green, Millet, Switch), Para, Paradoxa Grass, Purple pigeon grass, Sideoats Grama, Smooth Darling Pea, Sorghum (all), South African pigeon grass, Sudangrass, Sweet Vernal, Tanganyika
Greenbrier Family – Smilacaceae
SAFE: Bamboo Vine / Laurel Greenbrier, Greenbrier (all), Prickly Ivy, Smooth Carrion Flower
Heather Family – Ericaceae
SAFE: Blueberry, Cranberry, Grouseberry, Heather, Salal / Shallon
UNSAFE: Andromeda / Fetter Bush (all), Bog Laurel / Swamp Laurel, Doghobble (all), Japanese Andromeda / Pieris, Maleberry / He-huckleberry, Mountain Laurel / Spoonwood, Rhododendron / Azalea, Sheep Laurel
Holly Family – Aquifoliaceae
UNSAFE: Holly / Common / English Holly, American Holly, Cardinal Flower
Honeysuckle Family – Caprifoliaceae
SAFE: Valerian Root
Horsetail Family – Equisetaceae
UNSAFE: Horsetail (all)
Hydrangea Family – Hydrangeaceae
SAFE: Slender Deutzia
CAUTION: Mountain Hydrangea (unsafe in large quantities)
UNSAFE: Annabelle Hydrangea, Bigleaf Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea / Hortensia
Iris Family – Iridaceae
UNSAFE: Gladiola / Sword Lily, Iris (all), One-leaf Cape Tulip, Two-leaf Cape Tulip
Ivy / Aralia Family – Araliaceae
SAFE: False Aralia
UNSAFE: Angelica Tree / Prickly Elder (Aralia elata), Australian Ivy Palm, Branching Ivy, Common / English Ivy, Geranium Aralia / Coffee Tree, Persian Ivy (Hedera colchica), Wild Hydrangea
Knotweed / Buckwheat Family – Polygonaceae
SAFE: Black-bindweed / Wild Buckwheat, Desert Trumpet
UNSAFE: Common / Japanese / Silverhull Buckwheat, Rhubarb, Common / Garden Sorrel
Laurel Family – Lauraceae
CAUTION: True Cynnamon (Cinnamomum verum), Ceylon Cinnamon Tree / Sassafras, Chinese cynnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) (plants from the Cinnamomum family contain eugenols, which are toxic in high concentrations)
UNSAFE: Avocado / Alligator Pear, Camphor Tree / Laurel, Bay / Black Laurel / Laurel Tree
Leadwort / Plumbago Family – Plumbaginaceae
SAFE: Chinese Plumbago
Legume / Pea Family – Fabaceae
SAFE: Carob Tree / Locust Bean, Common / Green / Haricot Bean, Fenugreek, Gorse
CAUTION: Alfalfa / Lucerne, Birdsfoot Trefoil (prone to toxicity), Broad Bean (must be soaked and boiled), Chickpea / Garbanzo, Clover – Red, White, Alsike (should not dominate pasture), Common / Garden Vetch, Cowpea, Kidney Bean (must be soaked and boiled), Lentil Plant, Lespedeza / Bush Clover, Lima Bean (must be soaked and boiled), Pea, Perennial Peanut / Groundnut, Soybean, Sweet Clover (hay can be prone to mould), Wattles / Acacia – all (prone to toxicity). Legume hay is too high in protein but rationed amounts can be good for pregnant, growing or working donkeys.
UNSAFE: Birdsville Indigo, Black Locust Tree, Bluebush Pea, Chillagoe horse poison, Coffee Senna, Common Laburnum / Golden Chain, Creeping Indigo, Crotalaria brevis, Crotalaria montana, Crown Vetch, Broom (all), Grey Rattlepod, Hairy Vetch, Honey / Thorny Locust, Honey Mesquite, Kimberly horse poison, Lupin / Lupine (all), Mapoon Bush, Milkvetch / Loco Weed, Montpellier Broom, Moreton Bay Chestnut / Black Bean, Narrowleaf Rattlepod, New Holland Rattlepod, Peacock Flower / Poinciana, Perennial / Everlasting Pea, Annual Peanut / Groundnut, Purple-flowered Rattlepod, Purple Vetch, Rattlebox, Rosary Pea / Crab’s Eye / Indian Licorice, Selenium Weed, Showy Rattlepod, Sicklepod, Sunhemp, Sweet Pea, Trefoil Rattlepod, Water / Swamp Locust, Wedge-leaf Rattlepod, Wisteria
Lily Family – Liliaceae
SAFE: Bride’s Bonnet / Queen’s Cup, Cat’s Ears, Clintonia / Blue-bead Lily, Globe Lily, Japanese Lily, Lily / Lilium, Mariposa Lily, Saint Bernard’s Lily / Bichetii Grass, Star Tulips, Tiger Lily, White Clintonia
UNSAFE: Climbing / Creeping / Fire Lily, Easter Lily, Tulip
Loosestrife Family – Lythraceae
SAFE: Crepe Myrtle / Crepeflower / Pomegranate
Magnolia Family – Magnoliaceae
SAFE: Star Magnolia, Tulip Tree / Poplar
Mahogany Family – Meliaceae
UNSAFE: Chinaberry / Pride of India / Bead-tree
Maidenhair Fern Family – Pteridaceae
UNSAFE: Rock / Mulga / Lip Fern (all)
Mallow Family – Malvaceae
SAFE: American Basswood / Linden, Big-leaved Lime Tree, Cocoa Tree, Common Linden / Lime Tree, Hollyhock, Marsh Mallow, Rose of Sharon / Hibiscus, Small-leaved Lime Tree
UNSAFE: Cotton, Small-flowered Mallow / Marshmallow / Cheeseweed
Mint Family – Lamiaceae
SAFE: Chia, Horehound, Lavender, Scarlet / Texas Sage, Spurflowers, Summer Savoy
CAUTION: Basil (Ocimum basilicum) (contains eugenols, which are toxic in high concentrations), Lemon Balm, Balm Mint, Lavender, Mint, Oregano, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme (these are safe but not suitable for pregnant mares)
UNSAFE: Ground Ivy / Creeping Charlie, Indian Borage / Spanish Thyme
Moschatel Family – Adoxaceae
UNSAFE: Elder / Elderberry / Sambucus
Mulberry / Fig Family – Moraceae
SAFE: Mulberry
CAUTION: Fig / Common Fig (tree sap can cause skin irritation, unripe fruit contains latex)
UNSAFE: Ficus Tree / Weeping / Benjamin Fig
Myrtle Family – Myrtaceae
SAFE: Fuschia (all)
CAUTION: Bay Rum Tree / Ciliment / West Indian Bay Tree (Pimenta racemosa), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Jamaica pepper / New Spice / Allspice (Pimenta dioica) (contains eugenols, which can be toxic in high concentrations)
UNSAFE: Eucalyptus (highly toxic if ingested, essential oil used as a topical treatment in herbal remedies), Jambul / Java Plum
Nasturtium Family – Tropaeolaceae
SAFE: Indian / Monk’s Cress
Nephrolepis Family – Nephrolepidaceae
SAFE: Narrow-sword / Herringbone Fern, Sword Fern
Nettle Family – Urticaceae
SAFE: Aluminiu Plant / Watermelon Pilea, Artillery Plant / Rockweed, Baby’s Tears / Mother-of-thousands, Clearweed / Richweed, Creeping Charlie, Friendship Plant, Trailing Begonia
UNSAFE: Gympie Stinger, Nettles / Stinging Nettles (all)
Nightshade Family – Solanaceae
SAFE: Petunia
UNSAFE: Angel’s Trumpets (all), Black Nightshade / Garden Huckleberry, Brunfelsia / Franciscan Rain Tree / Morning-noon-and-night, Buffalo Burr / Spiny Nightshade, Corkwood (all), Day Jasmine, Deadly Nightshade / Belladonna, Devil’s Apple, Green cestrum, Jerusalem Cherry / Madeira Winter Cherry, Night Jasmine, Potato, Silverleaf Nightshade, Thornapples / Jimsonweed / Devil’s Snare (all), Tobacco / Nicotiana (all), Tomato (all), Woody Nightshade / Bittersweet / Bittersweet Nightshade / Blue Bindweed, Yellow Basswood
Nutmeg Family – Myristicaceae
SAFE: Fragrant / True Nutmeg
Oleaster Family – Elaeagnaceae
SAFE: Oleaster / Silverberry, Sea Buckthorn
Olive Family – Oleaceae
SAFE: Ash / English Ash, Forsythia, Jasmine (all), Lilac
UNSAFE: Olive / European Olive, Persian Lilac, Privet (all), Russian / Persian Olive
Orchid Family – Orchidaceae
SAFE: Crimson Cattleya / Ruby-lipped Cattley, Dancing-lady / Golden Shower Orchid, Easter Orchid, Fiery Reed Orchid, Forbes’ Cattleya, Ghost / White Frog Orchid, Greater Butterfly Orchid, Jewel Orchid, Leopard Orchid, Lily-of-the-valley Orchid, Masdevallia, May Flower / Christmas Orchid, Moth Orchid, Sophronitis, Tampa Butterfly Orchid
Palm Family – Arecaceae
SAFE: Areca Palm, Chusan Palm, Coconut, Curly Palm, Dwarf Date Palm, Kentia Palm, Lady Palm, Majesty Palm, Sabal Palm / Palmetto
Peony Family – Paeniaceae
UNSAFE: Peony / Common Peony
Pepper Family – Piperaceae
SAFE: American Rubber Plant / Pepper Face, Emerald Ripple Peperomia, Radiator Plant, Watermelon Begonia / Peperomia
Phlox Family – Polemoniaceae
SAFE: Creeping / Moss Phlox, Jacob’s Ladder / Greek Valerian
Pickerel-weed Family – Pontederiaceae
SAFE: Water / Common Water Hyacinth
Pine Family – Pinaceae
SAFE: Carolina Hemlock, Eastern / Canadian Hemlock, Hemlock / Tsuga
UNSAFE: Western Yellow Pine / Bull Pine
Pineapple Family – Bromeliaceae
SAFE: Aregelia (all), Fingernail Plant, Pineapple, Scarlet Star
Pitcher Plant Family – Sarraceniaceae
SAFE: Cobra Lily / California Pitcher Plant
Pittosporum Family – Pittosporaceae
SAFE: Australian Laurel / Mock Orange
Plantain Family – Plantaginaceae
SAFE: Broadleaf Plantain, Coliseum / Kenilworth Ivy, English / Narrowleaf Plantain, Mexican Twist / Creeping Gloxinia, Sierra / Withered Snapdragon, Snapdragon, American Sycamore / Planetree
UNSAFE: Common / Purple Foxglove, Mare’s Tail
Pokeweed Family – Phytolaccaceae
UNSAFE: Pokeweed
Primrose Family – Primulaceae
UNSAFE: Cyclamen, Primrose / English Primrose
Protea Family – Proteaceae
UNSAFE: Macadamia
Purslane Family – Portulacaceae
UNSAFE: Common Purslane / Verdolaga / Rock Moss
Rose Family – Rosaceae
SAFE: Apple, Black Hawthorn, Blackberry, Blackthorn, Chokeberry, Cinquefoil, Dog-rose, Grapefruit, Hawthorn / May-tree / Haw-berry, Midland / English Hawthorn, Loganberry, Meadowsweet, Mountain Ash / Rowan, Pear, Quickthorn, Raspberry, Rose, Rugosa Rose, Salad Burnet, Strawberry, Strawberry leaf / Creeping Raspberry, Sweet Briar Rose
UNSAFE: Almond, Apricot, Black Cherry, Cherry / Wild Cherry / Sweet Cherry, Cherry / Common / English Laurel, Chokecherry / Bitter-berry, Damson, Greengage, Peach, Plum, Nectarine
Sago Palm Family – Zamiaceae
UNSAFE: Cardboard Palm / Cardboard Cycad, Coontie Plant
Sandalwood Family – Sapindaceae
UNSAFE: Mistletoe
Saxifrage Family – Saxifragaceae
SAFE: Alumroot / Coral Bells
Sesame Family – Pedaliaceae
SAFE: Sesame, Devil’s Claw
Snowbell / Styrax Family – Styrnaceae
SAFE: Carolina / Little Silverbell
Soapberry Family – Sapindaceae
SAFE: Field / Common Maple, Norway Maple
UNSAFE: Boxelder Maple, Horse Chestnut / Buckeye, Lychee, Red Maple, Silver Maple, Sugar Maple, Sycamore Maple
Spikemoss Family – Selaginellaceae
SAFE: Krauss’ Spikemoss / Krauss’ Clubmoss, Spikemoss / Lesser clubmoss
Spurge Family – Euphorbiaceae
SAFE: Chenille Plant / Fox Tail, Copperleaf
UNSAFE: African Wonder Tree / Casterbean / Caster-oil-plant, False Caper, Leafy Spurge (all), Petty Spurge, Naked Lady / Pencil Cactus, Jatropha / Physic nut (all), Poinsietta
St John’s-Wort Family – Hypericaceae
CAUTION: St John’s-Wort (most toxic during rapid growth in spring until end of flowering, grazing infested pastures / consuming large quantities can cause photosensitisation, small amounts used safely in herbal remedies)
Star-vine Family – Schisandraceae
SAFE: Star Anise / Chinese Star Anise / Badiam
UNSAFE: Japanese Star Anise / Aniseed Tree
Stone Plants – Aizoaceae
SAFE: Stone Plants / Carpet Weeds (Sea Fig, Peach Apple, Ice Plant)
Stonecrop / Orpine Family – Crassulaceae
SAFE: Copper Rose / Painted Lady, Donkey’s / Burro’s Tail, Echevaria, Mexican Firecracker, Mexican Snowball / White Mexican Rose, Mother-of-pearl Plant / Ghost Plant
Sundew Family – Droseraceae
SAFE: Venus Fly Trap
Sword Fern Family – Nephrolepidaceae
SAFE: Narrow Sword Fern / Herringbone Fern, Western Sword Fern
Tea Family – Theaceae
SAFE: Common / Japanese Camellia, Mountain Camellia
Verbena Family – Verbenaceae
UNSAFE: Lemon Verbena / Beebrush, Wild Sage
Walnut Family – Juglandaceae
SAFE: Bitter Pecan / Water Hickory, Bitternut / Pignut / Swamp Hickory, Mockernut / White Hickory, Pecan, Shellbark / Shagbark Hickory
CAUTION: Walnut / English / Common Walnut (lower levels of juglone than the highly toxic Black Walnut but potential for poisoning not clear)
UNSAFE: Black Walnut
Water-Clover Family – Marsileaceae
UNSAFE: Nardoo
Willow Family – Sapindaceae
SAFE: Poplar / Aspen / Cottonwood, Purple Willow / Purple Osier, Willow (limited quantities)
Willowherb / Evening Primrose Family – Onagraceae
SAFE: Fireweed / Great Willowherb, Honeysuckle Fuscia
Wood Fern Family – Dryopteridaceae
SAFE: Christmas Fern, Fern Holly / Japanese Holly
Yam Family – Dioscoreaceae
UNSAFE: Black Byrony
Yellow-wood Family – Podocarpaceae
UNSAFE: Yew / Buddhist Pine
Yew Family – Taxaceae
UNSAFE: English / European Yew, Yew / Japanese Yew, American / Canadian Yew
Notes:
Annual Ryegrass is prone to corynetoxins produced by the bacterium Rathayibacter toxicus. Symptoms of poisoning from infected grass or hay include tremors, weakness and drooling. It can be fatal. Infected grass may look normal, or there may be an orange-yellow secretion on the seed heads. Seed heads may also be twisted or deformed.
Corynetoxins have been known to affect Annual Ryegrass, Blown-grass and Annual Beard-grass. If you have these grasses on your farm and they are prone to infection you should consult your local agronomist for advice on an integrated pasture management plan.
Bran is not suitable feed for donkeys as it is high in phosphorus levels and can lead to the depletion of calcium levels.
Cereal grain feeds can be prone to infection by the Aspergillus fungus, which can lead to aflatoxicosis if consumed in large quantities. Always buy feed from a reputable distributor and store it in cool, dry conditions. Cereal grasses used in pasture should not be allowed to go to seed. Hay and straw should be grain-free.
Clovers along with Alfalfa, Lespedezia, Soybean and Lupins have been known to be infected with the Rhizoctonia leguminicola fungus, which can cause Slaframine poisoning if consumed in large quantities. A rust colour on the upper side of the leaf indicates presence of the fungus. Symptoms of poisoning include excessive salivation.
Brown blotch disease, identified by brown spots on the underside of the leaves, has also been known to affect some clovers. Consumption of affected clover in large quantities can cause liver damage.
Corn ear and stalk can contain harmful substances and the cobs are high in starch, difficult to digest and can cause choking.
Endophytes are bacteria or fungi that can grow on plants, including grasses and cereal grains. They improve plant growth and tolerance to drought but they can also produce harmful mycotoxins, such as ergot alkaloids, particularly in certain conditions.
Ergot Alkaloids are most common in Perennial Ryegrass although they can occur in Paspalum, Phalaris, Triticale, Brome, Couch Grass, Crested Wheatgrass, Feather Grass, Fescue, Foxtail Grass, Orchard Grass, Red Top, Timothy, Wheat, Barley, Oat and wild grasses.
Symptoms of Ergot Alkaloid Toxicosis (Ergotism) include lameness, tremors, loss of coordination and gangrene. In rare cases it can be fatal. Grass infected with ergot can be identified by the presence of long black or purple structures where the seeds should be. Pregnant mares and foals are especially susceptible to ergot alkaloids.
Fescue is prone to toxicity when infected with the Acremonium coenophialum endophyte, which is not visually identifiable. It is particularly detrimental to pregnant mares and young foals.
Regular testing is advised. If your pasture is dominated by endophyte-infected grass, you may need to consult a local agronomist for advice on pasture management.
Fruit is high in sugar so should only ever be fed occasionally and in small quantities. It’s advisable to fence off trees bearing fruit and nuts, as eating too much can cause colic.
Grain Legumes and Pulses such as Broad Beans, Chickpeas, Lima Beans and Red Kidney Beans contain lectins and other harmful substances. They should not be fed raw. Crushing and soaking in boiling water for 2 hours is advised. They are also high in protein so should only ever be fed occasionally and in small quantities.
Grass containing high concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) can be unsafe for donkeys. Levels of NSC are highest when the grass has gone to seed, when there are large amounts of weeds, when grass is stressed due to drought conditions or cold nights below 40°F. Dead or dying pasture will also have high NSC levels.
Mushrooms are not safe for donkeys.
Nuts and Seeds are high in protein and fat so should be given in small quantities as an occasional treat or not at all and should be unsalted and unflavoured.
Oxalate Grasses contain chemicals, known as soluble oxalates, which can lead to the depletion of calcium levels in the body. Oxalate grasses include Brachiaria (Signal grass), Buffel, Guinea, Kikuyu, Pangola, Para and Setaria grasses.
Symptoms of chronic oxalate-related poisoning include colic, diarrhoea, lameness and swelling of the head (Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism or Big Head syndrome).
If your pasture is dominated by these grasses, grazing for long periods is not advisable and calcium and phosphorus supplements may be required. Professional advice should be sought.
Poisonous Plants often don’t appeal to donkeys and in most cases they will only resort to eating them if there is little else available, or if they are bored. Providing the right diet along with enrichment in the form of safe shrubs, herb patches and cut branches, will help.
Awareness of toxic and potentially toxic plants, good pasture management and food storage, watching out for symptoms, buying forage and seed from a reputable distributor and regular testing will further reduce the risk of poisoning.
Ragwort is highly toxic and needs to be completely removed. Click here for guidance on identifying and controlling Ragwort.
Safe Trees are safest in limited quantities. Overeating bark, twigs or leaves can lead to colic.
Vegetables are often high in sugar so should only be fed occasionally and in small quantities. Cutting into chunks or sticks may reduce the risk of choking.
Veterinary care should be sought immediately if you suspect poisoning of any kind, colic or any signs of ill health in your donkey.
References:
Safe Trees and Shrubs for Donkeys The Donkey Sanctuary UK
Poisonous Plants and Trees The Donkey Sanctuary UK
Plants Poisonous to Horses: An Australian Field Guide Mellisa Offord
Which Grass is Best for Horses and What to Avoid greenpet.com
Is Pasture Grass Safe? Pro Equine Grooms
Ergot Intoxication in Perennial Ryegrass National Center for Biotechnology Information
Database of Toxic Plants in the United States University of Idaho
Fescue Poisoning Veterinary Manual
Information on controlling Ergot Toxicity in Cereals Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
Producers finding ergot in cereal crops, grasses due to wet spring The Prairie Star
Molds and Mycotoxins in Horse Feed The Horse.com
Grasses, Rushes & Sedges Naturespot.org.uk
Please note: Plant safety depends on numerous factors, which need to be taken into account by individual owners. Donkey Wise cannot accept any responsibility for feeding or care. If you are unsure about the safety of plants, pasture or feed, or the best diet for your donkey, you should seek professional advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian if you suspect poisoning of any kind.
Copyright 2017 Amy Swift
Where do I get Barrier H in the USA??
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Hi, you might find my listing of suppliers useful: https://donkeywise.org/shopping/equipment/ or you might be better trying garden centres or doing a Google search for suppliers in your area. I hope this helps.
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